Regional : Strengthening Coastal and Marine Resources Management in the Coral Triangle of the Pacific (Phase 2)

Sovereign Project | 43427-012

The TA is Phase 2 of ADB's program to strengthen the management of coastal and marine resources in the coral triangle region, assisting Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste in fulfilling their Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) objectives, and engaging Fiji and Vanuatu in addressing issues on coral reefs, fisheries and food security that continuously threaten coastal communities. While Fiji and Vanuatu are not currently members of the CTI, they are geographically adjacent to the coral triangle region and share common coastal and marine ecosystems and species (mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and coral reefs), and experience similar environmental threats. The TA will help ensure food security for the populations in these five Pacific countries resulting from the increased resilience of coastal and marine ecosystems.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Uusimaa, Hanna K.
    Pacific Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Regional
  • Sector
    • Agriculture, natural resources and rural development
Project Name Strengthening Coastal and Marine Resources Management in the Coral Triangle of the Pacific (Phase 2)
Project Number 43427-012
Country / Economy Regional
Fiji
Papua New Guinea
Solomon Islands
Timor-Leste
Vanuatu
Project Status Closed
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Technical Assistance
Source of Funding / Amount
TA 7753-REG: Strengthening Coastal and Marine Resources Management in the Coral Triangle of the Pacific (Phase 2)
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 1.15 million
Regional Cooperation and Integration Fund US$ 800,000.00
Global Environment Facility US$ 13.10 million
TA 7753-REG: Strengthening Coastal and Marine Resources Management in the Coral Triangle of the Pacific (Phase 2) (Supplementary)
Global Environment Facility US$ 18,183.00
Strategic Agendas Environmentally sustainable growth
Inclusive economic growth
Regional integration
Drivers of Change Governance and capacity development
Knowledge solutions
Partnerships
Private sector development
Sector / Subsector

Agriculture, natural resources and rural development / Water-based natural resources management

Gender No gender elements
Description The TA is Phase 2 of ADB's program to strengthen the management of coastal and marine resources in the coral triangle region, assisting Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste in fulfilling their Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) objectives, and engaging Fiji and Vanuatu in addressing issues on coral reefs, fisheries and food security that continuously threaten coastal communities. While Fiji and Vanuatu are not currently members of the CTI, they are geographically adjacent to the coral triangle region and share common coastal and marine ecosystems and species (mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and coral reefs), and experience similar environmental threats. The TA will help ensure food security for the populations in these five Pacific countries resulting from the increased resilience of coastal and marine ecosystems.
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy Addressing food security issues amidst increased threats arising from overfishing, increased run-off and sedimentation and climate change impacts requires effective management of coastal and marine resources, especially those associated with coral ecosystems. The TA will support the introduction of more effective management measures and tools to build the resilience of coastal and marine ecosystems. It will support the coral triangle Pacific countries as well as Fiji and Vanuatu in the conservation and management of coral reefs and associated habitats for food security and poverty reduction. The TA responds to ADB's Pacific Region Environmental Strategy at the local level by (i) providing support in mainstreaming environment issues within the wider government policy and strategy framework, (ii) supporting the provision of environmental services through urban and rural land use planning linked to water quality and water quantity management needs, and (iii) promoting a focus to achieve integrated coastal resources management (ICRM) through community-based programs that are linked within a wider ecosystem management framework and to building diversified livelihoods, including coastal tourism. The TA complements ADB's Pacific Approach 2010-2014 that addresses broad, strategic concerns on sustainable development through knowledge solutions, including better practice models for environmental management. At the national level, the project was designed to support the goals and priorities of the CTI National Plans of Action (NPOAs) of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste, as well as other existing national policies, regulations and plans. In Fiji and Vanuatu, the TA was designed to support implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans as well as other sustainable development policies, and regulations. The TA links closely to ADB's other CTI technical assistance programs such as (a) Strengthening Coastal and Marine Resources Management in the Coral Triangle of the Pacific (Phase 1); (b) Regional Cooperation in Knowledge Management, Policy and Institutional Support to the Coral Triangle Initiative; and (c) Strengthening Coastal and Marine Resources Management in the CTI-countries.
Impact

Coastal and marine resources ensure sustainable food security for the population in the five Pacific countries.

Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

Increased resilience of coastal and marine ecosystems is attained in the five Pacific countries

Progress Toward Outcome

Capability building activities for effective ICRM for food security and increased resilience of coastal and marine ecosystems are ongoing in Timor Leste and Solomon Islands. Acquired knowledge and skills are applied in the development of ICRM plans, local fisheries management plans, MPA establishment, and implementation of subprojects.

Information, education, and communication (IEC)-related activities are ongoing to complement the capability-building activities for uptake of knowledge by the communities and sustain the gains from subproject activities.

Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

Capabilities of national and local institutions strengthened in sustainable coastal and marine resources management

Coastal communities experienced in applying best practices in ecosystem-based management and climate change adaptation

Resilience of coastal ecosystems to climate change enhanced

Effective program management established by ADB and the participating governments

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)

Output 1: Capabilities of national and local institutions strengthened in sustainable coastal and marine resources management.

Conducted regional and in-country training programs and workshops on: (i) ICRM, EBFM, marine protected areas (MPAs) management, and climate change adaptation; (ii) data collection; (iv) organizational reforms; and (v) environmental and resource management law, including those related to ICRM and EBFM.

Documented lessons learned and country case studies through IUCN's Lessons Learning Framework for the environmental law component.

Strengthened environmental law associations as platforms in pursuing the countries' environmental law and policy development, such as the development of protected areas policy and legislation in Papua New Guinea, development of ICRM in Fiji and environmental policy for Vanuatu.

Enabled the development and passage of the new Malaita Province Fisheries Ordinance (Bill) in Solomon Islands and ministerial diplomas for the MPA sites in Atauro and Batugade in Timor-Leste that define their boundaries, set up an aquatic reserve, and regulate their management.

Supported activities on sustainable financing in Vanuatu toward the development of an environment and climate change trust fund (ECT) to build and ensure support to the programs of the Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation on environmental conservation and climate change adaptation. An ECT Administration Manual has been introduced and a draft ECT Bill was developed to meet Vanuatu's policy needs and address constraints.

Drafted the Ra Provincial ICM Plan which had drawn support from SPC''s Restoration of Ecosystem Services and Adaptation to Climate Change (RESCCUE) project for the plan's the completion and adoption. The plan will be used as to identify activities that can be further supported by the Restoration of Ecosystem Services and Adaptation to Climate Change (RESCCUE) project.

Output 2: Coastal communities experienced in applying best practices in ecosystem-based management and climate change adaptation

Implemented subprojects in the priority sites through subcontracted NGOs on community based resource management; sustainable financing, mangrove rehabilitation; women's active involvement in locally managed marine areas; ridge-to-reef approach to resource management; community-based management of crown-of-thorns starfish; communication, education, and information awareness on MPAs; and other ICRM planning-related activities.

Developed the marine conservation plans for Malaita and Isabel provinces in Solomon Islands, and drafted the MPA management plan in Atauro and Batugade in Timor-Leste.

Ongoing implementation of five subprojects on fish aggregating devices (Fiji, Timor-Leste, and Vanuatu), community-based resource management including population study on saltwater crocodiles and scaling-up of initiatives for locally managed marine areas (Solomon Islands), gillnet exchange and diversification to climate resilient gardening practices (Papua New Guinea), and seascape planning including marine protected areas and development of national fisheries strategy (Timor-Leste).

Completed the subproject in Papua New Guinea on strengthening local capacity of 10 vulnerable island communities for an ecosystem-based approach to resource management which covered FADs, gillnet exchange and diversification to climate resilient gardening practices.

Ongoing data collection of catches in Fiji and Vanuatu to provide feed-back to the communities and to assist the national fisheries departments in formulating appropriate legislation to sustain resources.

Completed FAD-related training on boat safety and effective fishing methods; fisheries data collection including on traditional uses and practices, analysis and reporting; and ecological and socio-economic monitoring

Output 3: Resilience of coastal ecosystems to climate change enhanced.

Produced 13 regional resource maps showing estimates of reef areas vulnerable to coral bleaching, coastline length vulnerable to ocean acidification, land area vulnerable to submersion at 1-meter sea level rise, area of key marine habitats, and area of marine habitats under protection.

Prepared community resource participatory maps for 10 wards in Malaita province, Solomon Islands which are now being used by the provincial government in preparing ward profiles.

Completed studies on (i) Responding to Climate Change using an Adaptation Pathways and Decision-making Approach by WorldFish that recommended ways to strengthen the capacity of stakeholders to assess climate change risks to coastal livelihoods and develop cost-effective planned responses to reduce these risks (http://www.ctknetwork.org/videos/community-based-adaptation-to-climate-change-empowers-coastal-communities-in-timor-leste/ and http://www.adb.org/publications/climate-change-coral-triangle-pacific-countries); and (ii) Future Prospects and Adaptation Strategies for the Fisheries Sector under Climate Change in the Pacific Coral Triangle Countries by IFPRI that developed a modeling approach to food supply, demand, and price scenarios in Fiji, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, and Vanuatu, and generated a set of 12 general conclusions concerning the implications for food security in these countries.

Climate change adaptation measures integrated into (i) draft management plans for Atauro and Batugade in Timor-Leste; and (ii) Vunuasi River estuary and coastal area ecosystem management plan in Vanuatu

Climate change adaptation measures, public awareness, and knowledge product development currently embedded in the 5 five ongoing subprojects

Measures to build the resilience of coastal ecosystems continue to be integrated into local/community/ward development and fisheries management plans, and inform policy actions. Other IEC-related activities are being designed to enhance the understanding of coastal communities on the importance of improving the resilience of coastal ecosystems to contribute towards food security.

Output 4: Effective program management established by ADB and the participating governments

Engaged the FCG ANZDEC from 25 October 2011 to 30 October 2015, as the PMC that carried out the basic staffing for the RPMO and the NPMUs, and provided in-country program management and implementation, including (i) mobilization of national and international specialists/consultants; (ii) detailed work planning; (iii) coordination of demonstration activities; (iv) procurement of goods and services, including subcontracting of service providers to implement subprojects and training activities; (v) financial management; and (vi) documentation and reporting.

Completed the mid-term review in 2015.

Set up the TCU within PARD to support TA implementation.

Developed a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework with monitoring and reporting tools to guide country activities, and trained the NPMU staff on its use and application. The PMC submitted 11 quarterly progress reports as well as periodic updates on a subproject basis to track the progress of project-supported activities. A monitoring and evaluation specialist was mobilized to conduct a more focused analysis and processing of collected data in the context of the overall objective of the project.

Set up an online file-sharing account administered by the PMC to access subproject information and documents, and served as the repository of all reports and presentation materials. Access was granted to all project partners and consultants interested to share or download project-related information.

Provided support to strengthen the role of the CTI National Coordinating Committees (NCCs) of PNG, SOL and TIM or their equivalents (National Integrated Coastal Management [NICM]in Fiji and National Advisory Board [NAB] in Vanuatu) as platforms for ICRM-related discussions, exchange of information, as well as coordination and identification of synergies across key stakeholders.

Continuing support to the CTI NCCs in strengthening their advisory and policy-making capacities with respect to food security vis coastal and marine resources, specifically in the updating and costing of the national plans of action (NPOAs) of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste to serve as the foundation for future CTI funding of the country priorities on improving food security. Consultancy support is also being provided to the CTI Regional Secretariat for the review of its Regional Plan of Action.

Initiated the updating and costing of the national plans of action (NPOAs) of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands to serve as the foundation for future CTI budgeting and funding of the countries identified priorities, specifically on improving food security.

Facilitated the transfer of the Continuous administration and operation of the Coral Triangle Knowledge Network (http://www.ctknetwork.org) to the CTI Regional Secretariat.

As part of the project's information, education and communications activities, (i) prepared the IEC strategy plan that included egional and in-country action plans; (ii) published online the policy brief on 'Food Security in the Coral Triangle of the Pacific Countries: Prospects of Fisheries Development Strategies based on the research study of IFPRI (https://www.adb.org/publications/food-security-coral-triangle-pacific-countries; (iii) completed a whiteboard animation video on coral reef conservation; and (iv) ongoing finalization of the comic book on coral reef conservation.

Geographical Location Regional
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects
Involuntary Resettlement
Indigenous Peoples
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design All five countries were consulted during TA design phase.
During Project Implementation

Annual implementation review workshops attended by focal government offices, implementing partners and the PMC were conducted in September 2012 and April 2013 at ADB headquarters to discuss TA progress and issues/concerns requiring attention/solutions.

Regional consultation workshops were conducted on 26 to 29 April 2015 (Brisbane) and 13 to 15 October (Sydney). The regional planning meeting in Brisbane generated a list of pipeline projects consisting of 12 in-country and 2 regional subprojects and training activities for implementation under the TA. The final workshop in Sydney reflected on outcomes and lessons from the subprojects from the perspectives of the field consultants, government, community, and experienced practitioners and reviewers of ecosystem based management initiatives. Shared during these fora were perceptions of best practices, implementation barriers, recommendations for finalising the project and preparing for follow-up implementation, including on data and information needs for effective project evaluation and reporting.

Close coordination and consultation have been done with the CTI NCCs of PNG, SOL and TIM, the NICM of Fiji, and NAB in Vanuatu in identifying and prioritizing subprojects and training activities. At the subproject level, consultations with community and stakeholders were undertaken to directly engage their participation in the implementation of activities.

A mid-term review (MTR) was conducted in 2014 to assess the TA and recommend measures to improve its implementation and achieve the overarching objective of ensuring food security. The MTR recommendations informed and guided changes in the scope of and implementation arrangements for the TA. The review constituted country visits in the five Pacific countries and extensive consultations with key stakeholders. The MTR results were shared with focal government offices during the Regional Planning Work Group meeting on 26 to 29 April 2015.

A revised TA completion date of 31 December 2018 was approved on 11 July 2017 to enable sufficient time to implement and deliver the expected outputs of ongoing activities, implement additional activities that support the outcome of the TA design and monitoring framework, as well as complete the financial closure requirements of the TA. ADB has directly engaged NGOs for subproject implementation.

Business Opportunities
Consulting Services

The PMC supplied 91.5 person-months of international and 423 person-months of national consulting services to support in-country program management and implementation in the five Pacific countries. The firm was selected using QCBS evaluation (90:10) following ADB's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants. The PMC's contract expired on 30 October 2015.

ADB now directly administers the following NGOs for subproject implementation: (i) WorldFish in Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste, (ii) Conservation International in Fiji, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu. The contract of Wildlife Conservation Society in Papua New Guinea is completed last 31 May 2018.

IUCN Oceania, the World Fish Center (WFC), and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) were engaged through single source selection and provided a total of 51 person-months of consultant inputs to conduct special studies, research, and other selected activities related to climate change adaptation, environmental law and learning, and food security issues. IFPRI, WFC, and IUCN have completed their contracts on 31 October 2013, 15 November 2014, and 31 September 2015, respectively.

During the course of TA implementation, ADB has directly engaged the services of a program coordinator, project planning and monitoring specialist, and project analyst to assist in TA administration and implementation. To address the TAs current management and administration requirements in the extended period, the TCU now consists of the project director, planning and coordination specialist, project operations analyst, and monitoring and evaluation specialist.

Additionally, ADB has engaged the following individual consultants to provide support services to the countries: (i) development planning and financial management/costing specialist to jumpstart the updating and costing of the NPOAs Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands; (ii) national events coordinator in Papua New Guinea from 24 August to 16 December 2016 to lead the preparation and organization of the CTI-CFF 12th Senior Officials Meeting and 6th Ministerial Meeting held from 31 October to 3 November 2016, and (iii) development and investment planning specialists for Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste, to review/refine and update their respective CTI NPOAs. Additional consultancy support was provided to the CTI NCC of Papua New Guinea through the engagement of a CTI-CFF technical officer and CTI-CFF communications officer.

For information sharing and implementation of the IEC component, the following were engaged: a web developer, web content producer, an animator, development communications specialist, knowledge management specialist/graphic designer. A youth and environment specialist, knowledge management and outreach specialist, and short-term skill-specific specialists have been mobilized to support the implementation on IEC activities and development of knowledge products.

Responsible ADB Officer Uusimaa, Hanna K.
Responsible ADB Department Pacific Department
Responsible ADB Division Energy Division, PARD
Executing Agencies
Asian Development Bank
Timetable
Concept Clearance 31 Mar 2010
Fact Finding 02 May 2010 to 14 Jul 2010
MRM -
Approval 14 Dec 2010
Last Review Mission -
PDS Creation Date 09 Apr 2010
Last PDS Update 28 Sep 2018

TA 7753-REG

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
14 Dec 2010 - 14 Dec 2010 31 Dec 2014 31 Dec 2018 19 Jun 2019
Financing Plan/TA Utilization Cumulative Disbursements
ADB Cofinancing Counterpart Total Date Amount
Gov Beneficiaries Project Sponsor Others
1,950,000.00 13,118,183.00 3,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 18,068,183.00 17 Jun 2022 13,655,427.35

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.

The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.


Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

None currently available.


Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

None currently available.



The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.

Tenders

Tender Title Type Status Posting Date Deadline
CTI-CFF Communications Officer Individual - Consulting Closed
Development and Investment Planning Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
CTI-CFF Technical Officer Individual - Consulting Closed
STRENGTHENING THE CAPACITY OF THE CTI-CFF NATIONAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE IN SUPPORT OF FOOD SECURITY, PAPUA NEW GUINEA Firm - Consulting Closed
Development and Investment Planning Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Knowledge Management and Outreach Individual - Consulting Closed
Youth and Environment Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Development and Investment Planning Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Development and Investment Planning Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Development and Investment Planning Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed

Contracts Awarded

Contract Title Approval Number Contract Date Contractor | Address Executing Agency Total Contract Amount (US$) Contract Amount Financed by ADB (US$)
Policy and Advisory Technical Assistance 7753 25 May 2018 Worldfish Center (The), MAL(MALAYSIA) | JALAN BATU MAUNG, BATU MAUNG 11960 BAYAN LEPAS, PENANG, MALAYSIA Asian Development Bank 235,103.00
Policy and Advisory Technical Assistance 7753 23 Aug 2016 Worldfish Center (Malaysia) | JALAN BATU MAUNG, BATU MAUNG 11960 BAYAN LEPAS, PENANG, MALAYSIA Asian Development Bank 745,074.00
Policy and Advisory Technical Assistance 7753 27 Sep 2016 Conservation International Foundation (United States) in Association with Secretariat of the Pacific Community (France) | 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 500 Arlington, 22202 United States Asian Development Bank 771,824.00
Policy and Advisory Technical Assistance 7753 07 Oct 2016 Conservation International Foundation (United States) in Association with Secretariat of the Pacific Community (France) | 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 500 Arlington, 22202 United States Asian Development Bank 364,964.00
Policy and Advisory Technical Assistance 7753 07 Oct 2016 Wildlife Conservation Society (United States) | 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx, New York 10460 United States Asian Development Bank 132,720.00
Policy and Advisory Technical Assistance 7753 07 Oct 2016 Conservation International Foundation (United States) | 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 500 Arlington, 22202 United States Asian Development Bank 689,078.00

Procurement Plan

None currently available.